FLINT - She didn't have to die. Police had no reason to pump five bullets into her.

That was the reaction Saturday, April 19, from relatives and others at Shady Acres mobile home park who witnessed Jo Ann Burgett's fatal encounter with Flint police on the night of Friday, April 18.

But police say Burgett was armed and dangerous, advancing toward them with a knife they begged her to put down.

Officers had swarmed the park, 4615 Western Road, next to Kearsley Creek, to defuse a trouble call about 7 p.m. They shot Burgett, 46, multiple times near her home on Lot 32.

Neighbor Vince Hanson and others said police fired up to eight shots, five of which struck Burgett. At least one bullet traveled about 200 feet and struck an occupied trailer.

"They just murdered her, flat out," Hanson said. "She was staggering back and forth, with her hands in the air. She was drunk. What kind of a threat is that?

"That was just wrong."

Hanson spoke while standing in the narrow street near a dark spot in the cement where Burgett bled.

Acting Flint Police Chief Gary Hagler said Saturday some witnesses said Burgett was approaching the officers, making slashing motions with the knife.

He said law enforcement officers nationwide are killed each year by people wielding knives, and it's not accurate to suggest they are not dangerous.

Flint police do not carry Tasers.

The police who fired on Burgett have not been identified, but they have been placed on administrative leave, as is department policy. One has been on the force for about a year, and the other for about four years, officials said.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family," Hagler said in a statement.

"Our officers have the duty to protect the citizens and the right to protect themselves. We have initiated a full investigation and the state police crime lab is included in the investigation."

Police said Burgett was several feet away when they fired. Other witnesses said the distance was up to 20 feet.

Hanson and others said Burgett was holding a 3-inch-long folding knife and walking toward police as they ordered her to drop it.

Hanson said he told police he knew Burgett, had seen her acting like this before and could talk her into giving up the knife.

He said the street was crowded with people, including kids, and he and others were trying to get police to refrain from using deadly force.

"Hell, no, they were not in danger," he said of police.

Neighbor Thomas Stugner, 60, was sitting at home when he heard gunshots, followed by a slug hitting his trailer - an errant shot from police guns.

He said residents outdoors risked being hit by stray bullets.

"They just could have handled this in a different way," Stugner said.

"They started shooting at her without giving her a chance," said Burgett's daughter, Crystal, 25, who also lives at the park but was not home and did not witness the shooting. "They didn't have to go to this extreme. I feel there was no need for this. But they shot so quick."

Crystal Burgett said her mother stood only 5-feet-6 and weighed 120 pounds.

She said her mother carried the knife and had an argument with her girlfriend, which likely led her mother to call the police.

"She's called police on herself before," the daughter said.

Now, Crystal Burgett said she has to explain to her three kids - "They were her world," she said - why their grandmother died.

"This was just total overkill."

Hagler pointed to a 2004 incident at the Meijer store on Center Road in which a Burton police officer was severely injured by a man wielding a knife. That assailant, too, was shot, but survived and was later sent to prison.

"Witnesses' statements indicate that (Burgett) had been drinking heavily throughout the day and her behavior became erratic, including fighting with others in the neighborhood," Hagler said.

Police responded after receiving a number of 911 calls.

"Once the investigation is complete, it will be forwarded to the Genesee County Prosecutor's office for review," Hagler said.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said it's much too early to speculate on anything.

"Once we get the completed investigation, I'll convene a committee of senior prosecutors to discuss it. Only when we have every last speck of information will we make a determination."

Crystal Burgett said the family has no money and is asking for donations and

burial assistance for her mother.

She said she would open a bank account this week and formalize a way for anyone to help the family.

"We can't even begin with funeral arrangements. We don't have her body yet," she said.